Genome Canada - Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) Round 26

Eligibility

All projects must meet the following requirements:

• Develop and apply a genomics-derive tool, product or process to a challenge identified by end-users.
• Focus on later stage R&D, which will position the innovation for near-term implementation or commercialization, following the project's conclusion.
• Be co-led by an academic (independent researcher) and end-user organization. Both partners must be actively engaged throughout the project.
• Demonstrate the potential to have a significant social and economic benefit to Canada.

Summary

The Genomic Application Partnership Program (GAPP) funds downstream research and development (R&D) projects driven by challenges and opportunities identified by end-users. End-users are broadly described as stakeholders interested in using the results of genomics research from academia and implementing innovations into the market for either commercialization or public-good purposes. Examples could include industrial companies, industry consortia, government departments or other not-for-profit organizations. The GAPP aims to:

• Promote the application and commercialization of genomics-derived solutions to address key sector challenges and opportunities.
• De-risk follow-on investment from public and private partners.
• Increase the socio-economic impact and profitability of genomics research by accelerating its translation to the application.

*The investment from Genome Canada cannot exceed more than 1/3 of the total investment in the project by all parties. The remaining 2/3 must be secured through co-funding with at least 1/3 coming from the end-user.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

There is a three-stage application process for GAPP involving an Expression of Interest (EOI), a Project Pitch (by invitation only) and a Supplementary Proposal (by invitation only).

1. Expression of Interest

• User need (max 1 page)
• Project objectives and partnership (max 2 pages)
• Market potential and benefits for Canadians (max 2 pages)
• Budget and co-funding (template provided)

2. Project Pitch (by invitation only; details available with invitation)

3. Supplementary Proposal (by invitation only; details provided with invitation)

Genome Alberta will submit all EOIs and Supplementary Proposals to Genome Canada on behalf of Alberta-based partnerships. Research Services will work closely with Genome Alberta throughout the application process to ensure institutional requirements are in place and secure institutional approvals as required.

Interested parties are asked to fill out the GAPP Eligibility Form 2021 (in Resources section) as soon as possible and send to Genome Alberta in advance of providing the EOI for submission, with a cc to ipd@ucalgary.ca:  

• Georgia Balsevich (gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca), cc: ipd@ucalgary.ca

Applicants must cc Research Services at ipd@ucalgary.ca when submitting EOIs and Supplementary Proposals to Genome Alberta per the competition instructions as institutional review and signature will be required.

Institutional and agency milestones are listed below, additional instructions follow.

Timeline

Phase: Expression of Interest (EOI)

• Activity: Submit EOI to Genome Alberta (GAB) gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca; approvals within RMS

         Deadline: By May 15, 2023*

• Activity: Feedback and revisions of EOI

         Deadline: May – June 7, 2023

• Activity: Institutional review and signoff to GAB

         Deadline: June 7 – 15, 2023

• Activity: Submit EOI to Genome Canada (GC)

         Deadline: By June 15, 2023

Phase: Project Pitch (if invited)** 

• Activity: Project development

         Deadline: June – scheduled pitch session (TBD)

• Activity: Project pitch to GC external reviewers

         Deadline: June – August (TBD)

• Activity: EOI and project pitch response

         Deadline: 1 week after pitch

 Phase: Supplementary Proposal

• Activity: Development of Supplementary Proposal

         Deadline: Pitch Response – September 7, 2023

• Activity: Submit draft Supplementary Proposal and budget to GAB and IPD

         Deadline: September 7, 2023

• Activity: Proposal and budget review, feedback and revisions; draft GC Benefits Letter***

         Deadline: September 7 – October 2

• Activity: Submit final Supplementary Proposal and budget to IPD (including backup); approvals within RMS

         Deadline: By 9am October 2, 2023

• Activity: Institutional review and signoff to GAB

         Deadline: October 2 – 12

• Activity: Submit Supplementary Proposal to GC

         Deadline: By October 12, 2023

* EOIs accepted on a rolling basis – date indicates ideal time

** Applicants normally notified within 2 weeks of EOI submission of invitation to pitch; if invited to Supplementary Proposal, applicants will have option to defer submission to July 2023 (Round 26)

*** If personnel with benefit rates >20% included in budget

RESOURCES

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available internally through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

GAPP Investment Strategy and Guidelines

GAPP Eligibility Form 2021

GAB GAPP presentation Aug 2021

GAPP EOI form

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

Overhead

N/A

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Additional details can be found in the GAPP Investment Strategy and Guidelines.

RMS Training

The Expression of Interest (EOI) and Supplementary Proposal will be run through RMS; we encourage applicants submitting an EOI and invited to submit a supplementary proposal to view the step sheets available at the RMS Training page. Please use the "Genome Canada - Genomic Applications Partnership Program Round 26" funding opportunity and be sure to select "Submitted for approvals" (under Save and Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.

For training or technical support, you can contact RMS at: rms@ucalgary.ca and 403.210.9309.

RMS Step-Sheet: Creating a Pre-Award/LOI

For UCalgary researchers participating on applications elsewhere: If you have been asked by the submitting institutions to confirm we are aware of your involvement, please notify Research Services via email to ipd@ucalgary.ca.  At the full application stage, completion of the Pre-Award record in RMS (follow the instructions under Submission Process below) is required. Once all approvals are obtained in RMS, our Director will email the RSO of the lead institution to confirm.